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Wayne Foster’s Garden of Lost Treasures

“If I see something I can use, I’ll pick it up,” Foster said. “I’ll paint it and set it back here.”

He shuffled by a painted tree stump, plants, and knick-knacks, proudly giving a tour.

“This is my latest find,” Foster said, pointing to a boy and girl figurine playing. It rested between another small statue and a palm tree.

“I sit out here everyday. I watch the sun go,” Foster said while gesturing from the East to the West.

Foster was sitting in his paradise when he heard volunteers arrive to work on his fence as part of NOAHH’s A Brush With Kindness (ABWK) program. The Farrow Group donated their time to the project, as well as a monetary donation to the affiliate. Foster said he had peeped around the corner and realized they were going to begin work on his much-needed project, funded by the General Motors Foundation.

“I’m trembling I’m so excited,” Foster said.

Hurricane Gustav not only pulled his fence from its place, but also removed the evidence.

“There weren’t any planks anywhere. I tried to take what I had in the backyard to patch it up, but I couldn’t fix the rest of the fence. I’m no carpenter,” Foster said, jokingly.

ABWK helps low-income families in repairing and renovating their homes. Projects can include painting, landscaping, weatherization and minor repair services.

The repaired fence will better protect Foster’s beloved oasis. In his case, another man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure.